Ed Templeton, Deformer (Hardcover)

~ Ed Templeton (Photographer)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

In Deformer, artist Ed Templeton explores his upbringing in suburban Orange County, California, through photographs, stories and ephemera from his youth and teen years, giving readers--as he did viewers of the short Mike Mills film of the same name--an intensely close and personal look at his coming of age. He weaves disciplinary letters from his grandfather and religious notes from his mother in with telling images and brutal stories, creating an unresolved narrative that offers more questions than answers. Or perhaps the answers are these photographs, paintings, drawings and sketchbook pages, which plunge readers headlong into not just Templetonís chaotic existence but also his use of art to address its stresses and joys. Deformer is the culmination of a vision 11 years in the making, and collects over 30 years of material. Its photographs illuminate being young and alive in the ìsuburban domestic incubator,î and provide--in the tradition of Nan Goldin or Larry Clark, with a sharp eye for the streets that recalls Garry Winogrand or Eugene Richards--a raw and unflinching glimpse into the artistís own life and the lives around him. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 166 pages
• Publisher: Damiani (October 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 8862080506
• ISBN-13: 978-8862080507
• Product Dimensions: 12.5 x 9.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (1 customer review)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #184,851 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Deformer, September 17, 2008

By	Matthew Dowdy (Christiansburg, VA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Since the summer of 2006 I have been anticipating the arrival of Ed Templeton's newest book: Deformer. Several cover changes later, the dead pigeon head was nice, and preorder limbo from Amazon, the book finally arrived at my home. After correctly breaking in the spine of the book I was ready to indulge my image-driven senses. Deformer, from the first page to the last, did not disappoint. Templeton's stream-of-consciousness photobook is the perfect talisman for anyone wishing to view youth and beauty, chaos and destruction. This autobiographical record of Ed, and Deanna, captures many moments of distinct reflection between the photographer and the observed. Not only are fleeting moments of agony and ecstasy captured, but also ones of youth and lust. Deformer offers viewers many unseen photographs and documents about Templeton's life. Throughout the book are hand written or typed letters from his grandparents that were sent to Ed to remind him of how valuable time is and what it takes to become a young man with a purpose in life. This book is a testament to the time and hard work Templeton has put into his social-documentation, skateboarding career, paintings, journals and other various forms of artwork. Deformer offers viewers a window on a world not seen by many, and a world that has been overlooked by most. Alleged Press and Damiani pieced together an incredible book and I look forward to another one focusing on Templeton's paintings.